Identification device



IOct.. 31, 1944. P, JOFFO 2,361,479

41DENTIFIGATI01\I DEVICE Filed Nov. 9, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 2 www@ Patented Oct. 3l, 1944 IDENTIFICATION DEVICE David P. Joo, New York, N. Y. y Application November 9, 1942, Serial No. 465,018

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to identification devices and more particularly to motor vehicle identification plates.

Specically my invention embraces the concept of supplanting the conventional metal license plates which are adapted to bear the registration number of a motor vehicle, with a paper or cardboard plate supported and protected by a rigid plastic transparent envelope.

Under conditions of metal shortage, when it is essential that all possible metal be diverted to vital uses, one source of steel scrap, necessary in the rapid production of steel, is the vast number of automobile license plates at present in use. In addition, these license plates are renewed yearly in most States, and by replacing these permanent, substantially weather proof, trans` parent envelope adapted to be attached to the motor vehicle and in which is contained a replaceable, indicia bearing plate or card made of paper or like substance.

A still further object is to provide a rigid plastic container, at least a portion of which is transparent, for a paper card which is adapted to have printed thereon the registration number and other necessary data pertaining to the vehicle to which it is affixed.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a device of the above described character which may be illuminated by self-contained light.

And another object is to provide illumination for a. replaceable paper identification plate contained in a permanent plastic container affixed to a motor vehicle, which illumination may also function as a warning light. A Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof. y

In the drawings, in which like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout the several figures:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my identiiication container showing a paper license'plate contained therein.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a fragmental transverse sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Figure 2 looking in the directionof the arrows.

Figure 5 is a fragmental cross sectional view taken along the same line as Figure 2 showing the method of attachment.

Figure 6 is a fragmental horizontal cross-sectional view showing a. modified means of attaching the cover member.

Figure '7 is a face view of a modied form of my invention.

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a fragmental transverse sectional view on the line 9--9 of Figure 8 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 10 is a face view of a further modified form of my invention. i

Figure 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of Figure 10 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 12 is a transverse sectional view on the line lZ-IZ of Figure 11 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line I3-l3 of Figure 10 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 14 is a fragmental horizontal crosssectiona1 view taken on the same line as Figure 11 showing a still further modication of my invention.

VIn its broadest sense, my invention comprises a vehicle identification plate composed of paper, cardboard, Celluloid or other inexpensive, nonstrategic material having printed or lithographed on the face thereof the necessary identication indicia such as the registration number 'of the vehicle, name of the State in which it is registered, date of expiration, etc. -I'his plate is supported by a rigid plastic envelope, at least a portion of which is transparent for viewing the plate. Means are provided for securing the en-` velope to the vehicle in the customary manner and means are also provided for easy insertion and removal of the plate. The envelope is constructed in such a manner as to substantially seal the plate therein against exposure to Weather and consequent destruction. In addition, means are provided to illuminate the plate by self-contained electric lights, if desired, and also if desired such illumination may beutilized as a warning light by the incorporation of red lenses with the envelope.

In Figures l to 5 of the drawings, I have illustrated one specii'lc embodiment of my invention which comprises a rigid support member I of rectangular shape and fabricated from a suitable plastic material by well-known methods such as molding or pressing to shape. The support member I is preferably opaque and may, if desired, be made in a variety of colors to match or contrast with the color of the vehicle to which it is attached.

Formed in one face of the support member l is a recess 2 of substantially rectangular shape having a peripheral ledge 3. Horizontal ribs 4 and vertical ribs 5 are formed in the recess to provide a grid structure for supporting an identication plate 6. The identication plate 6 is composed of paper. cardboard, Celluloid or other suitable inexpensive and non-strategic material and has imposed on one face thereof indicia such as indicated as 1 in Figure 1. These. indicia 1 comprise the registration number of the vehicle. the State in which it has been issued, expiration date and other legends which may be required to identify the vehicle.

The top of the supporting member I and the opposite vertical edges thereof are provided with tongues 8 and 9 respectively. The purpose of these tongues will be hereinafter more. fully described.

A cover member designated generallv as I is provided for attachment to the support member I and is composed of a transparent plastic material such as molded Celluloid, Lucite or other suitable readily available plastic. The cover member I0 has provided on its upper edge and opposite ends rearwardly projecting flanges II and I2 respectively. the inner surfaces of which are formed with grooves I3. In attaching the cover member I0 to the support I, after inserting the identification card 6 in the recess 2. the cover is slid downwardly over the support, the grooves I3 in the anges II and I2` engaging. the tongues 8 and 9 respectively on the support I. When the cover l0 is thus attached to the support I as shown in Figures land 2, screws I4 are inserted through the lower ends of the flanges I2 into threaded apertures I5 provided therefor in the support member I to prevent accidental removal of the cover I0. l

As shown in Figures 1. 2 and 3. the cover I0 is provided with a peripheral raised portion I6 for the purpose of reinforcing the structure and adding to the appearance of the device. The inner edge of this peripheral bead is beveled as shown at I1 and denes a transparent sunken pane I8 through which the identication card 6 may be viewed. It will be noted that the beveled ede-'e I1 lies adjacent the juncture of the card 6 with the peripheral edge of the recess 2 to refract this line of juncture and give the apeparance when` viewed from the face of a frame surrounding the identification card.

In order to attach the device to a vehicle in the customary manner, I provide normally closed apertures I9 and 20 adjacent the upper and lower ture and dust to the interior of the container.'

edges respectively of the cover member I0. l It Will be noted that these apertures are formed with a thin frangible wall 2| to prevent access of mois- The apertures IS and 20,`when the cover plate is attached to the support member-I, are adapted to coincide axially with apertures 22 and 23 formed in the support I. The apertures 22 and 23 are also formed with frangible closures 24. In attaching the device to the vehicle, a bolt 25 is forced through the apertures 20 and 23, breaking out the walls 2l and 24. As shown in Figure 5, thebolt is inserted through this thus cleared aperture and the aperture provided for the bolt in the usual mounting bracket 26, which is part of the equipment of the vehicle, and a nut 25 is secured to the threaded end ofthe bolt for rigidly securing the assembly to the bracket.

Figure 6 illustrates a modiiied means of attaching the cover I0 to the support member I. In this modiiication the tongues 9' on the sides of the support I are substantially V-shaped and engage V-shaped grooves I3 in the side anges I2 of the cover member I0. By this construction, the screws I 4, if desired, may be eliminated as the V-shaped grooves I3' will themselves prevent lateral distortion of the sides of the cover member I0.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a modied form of envelope 30 which is made entirely of transparent plastic material. The envelope 30 is provided with a depressedpane 3| which is similar to the pane I8 described above. A recess 32 is provided in the envelope 30 as shown in Figure 8 for the reception of the identication plate 6. A cover member 33, recessed as shown in 34. is adapted to fit over the reduced upper edge 35 of the envelope 30 to close the recessed upper edge and maintain the identification card 6 therein against exposure to weather. In order to secure thecover member 34 to the envelope 30 I provide near each end 36 of the cover member 33 a resilient clip 31 secured to the inside of the cover 33,'as shown at 38. When the cover is applied to the envelope the free end of each clip is adapted to engage a notch 39 formed in each side Wall of the envelope 30.

Intermediate the ends of the upper edge of the envelope 30, a notch 40 is formed to facilitate removal of the identification card 6. Attaching means 4I and 42, similar tothe apertures I9 and 20 described above are formed in the upper and lower edges respectively of the envelope 30 as shown in Figure '7.

It may be desirable, in certain instances, to provide illumination for the identification plate, and in Figures 10 to 13 I have shown means for accomplishing such illumination. In thisform of my invention, the support member designated by 50 is provided with a recess 5I having peripheral shoulders 52 and a ribbed grid structure 53 which is similar to that described in Figures 2 to 5 above,

At each end of the support 50 there is formed a rearwardly projecting boss 54 centrally apertured as shown at 55. Carried in the aperture 55 and secured therein by means of swaging 56 is a sleeve 51 adapted to mount an electrical lamp such as indicated generally as 58. The lamp 58 is so positioned that its lament will lie substantially in the plane of the indicia bearing face of the identiiication card 6. The projecting end of the sleeve 51 is provided with a bayonet slot 59 for attaching a plug or electrical connector 59' for supplying electric current to the lamp 58.

The identification card B is inserted in the recess Bl against the shoulders 52 and ribbed structure 58, as shown in Figure 11, and a cover member 60 is provided for retaining the identification plate 6 in the support 50. 'I'his cover member 60 is also made of transparent plastic material and provided with a rearwardly projecting flange 6| on its upper edge and rearwardly projecting flanges 62 on its lateral edges. The outer face of the cover member 60 is formed into a sunken viewing pane 63 in a manner similar to that de scribed for the cover mem-ber I0.

4 Formed on the inner face of the cover member 60 is a rearwardly projecting transparent bead 64 which has a size and conformation substantially that of the identification card 6. When the cover member 60 is attached to the support 50, the bead 64 is adapted to closely engage the peripheral edges of the identication card 6 to hold it against the Shoulder 52 and aid in the prevention of access of moisture and dust to the card.

In order to attach the cover member 60 to the support SIL-I provide a longitudinal groove 65 along the bottom face of the top flange 6I which is adapted to engage a tongue 66 formed on the upper edge of the support member 50. The lower edge of the cover 60 is securely held in engagement with the support by means of a bolt 61 which passes through registering apertures B8 and 68' formed in the cover Aand support member respectively. This bolt 61 is the same that attaches the device .to the mounting bracket 26, as shown in Figure 13.

In order to direct the light rays from the lamp 58 only onto the identification plate 6 an opaque cup-shaped shield 69 is mounted in a socket 10 formed therefor in the inner face of the cover member 60. This shield is adapted to surround the lamp E8 and have its free end engage a socket 1I formed in the inner face of the support 50,A

providing thereby a light trap. A slot or aperture 12 is cut through the side wall of the shield 69. This slot is positioned so as to coincide with the space between the inner face of the cover member 66 and the indicia bearing face of the identification card 6. Thus it will be seen by reference to Figures 11 and 12 that light rays transmitted from the lamp 58 will be projectedl through the aperture 12, the transparent bead 64, and

onto the indicia bearing face of the card 6, all' other rays being obviously blocked by the light shield 69.

To further protect the interior of the device above-described from the weather, a gasket 14 of material such as cotton fibers which may be 'waxed or oiled if desired, is carried in a groove 15 provided near the periphery of the inner face of the cover member 60. This gasket 14 engages the peripheral edges of the inner face of the support 50, when the cover is attached thereto, and forms thereby an effective seal between the adjoining faces of the support and cover.

If it is desired to utilize the light 58 as a warn`` of an internally flanged end 80 of the cylinder 16. By this construction, white rays are passed through the aperture 11 onto the indicia bearing face of the card i while rays corresponding to the color of the lens 16, which may be, for instance, red, are projected through the lens.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a device for the identification of motor vehicles and the like which is composed of materials not essential for the war effort thereby permitting the diversion of steel, from which these devices the paper identification plate is substantiallyI protected from the ravages ofv Weather. The whole construction is economical to manufacture, suiiiciently substantial to withstand use, and is simple and easy in its application.

While only preferred embodiments are herein shown and described, it must be understood that various changes may be made by those skilled in the art, such as in its construction, materials. arrangement of parts, etc., without parting from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Anv identification device for motor vehicles and the like comprising a non-metallic plate adapted to bear identification indicia on the face thereof, a rigid plastic supporting member for the plate, a transparent plastic cover member detachably secured to the supporting member, a transparent rearwardly projecting bead on the inner face of said cover member for maintaining a spaced parallel relationship between said cover member and said plate and an illuminating device carried by said supporting device, said illuminating device being positoned wth respect to the plate to transmit light rays over the indicia bearing face of the said plate.

-2. An identification device for motor vehicles and the like comprising a non-metallic plate adapted to bear identification indicia on the face thereof,' a rigid plastic supporting member for the plate, a transparent plastic cover member detachably secured` to the supporting member in spaced parallel relation to the indicia bearing face of the plate, and an illuminating device carried Aby said supporting device. said illuminatingr device comprising an electric lamp carried by the supporting member, an opaque cup-shaped shield carried by the cover member and adapted to surround the lamp and an aperture in the side wall of said shield in registration with the space between the cover member and the plate for passage of light rays to the indicia bearing surface of said plate.

3. An identification device for motor vehicles and the like comprising 'a non-metallic plate adapted to bear identification indicia on the face thereof, a rigid plastic supporting member for the plate, a transparent plastic cover member detachably secured to the supporting memthe cover member an opaque cylindrical shield aiially mounted with respect to the `lens and extending between the inner face of the lens and the inner face of the supporting member, a light transmitting member positioned within the cylindrical shield and an aperture in the side wall of' the shield for passage o light rays from the light transmitting member to the indicia bearing surface of said plate.

4. An identicaton device for motor vehicles and the like comprising a non-metallic plate having identification indicia on the front face thereof, and a rigid plastic envelope for the plate, said envelope comprising a rigid supporting member having a recess therein for the reception of the plate, a ledge on the peripheral wall of the recess and depressed `below the outer edge thereof a distance substantially the thickness of the plate, intersecting longitudinal and transverse ribs formed on the bottom wall of the recess and joined to the peripheral wall thereof, the upper surface of said ribs lying in the plane of said ledge, said ledge and ribs being adapted to engage the rear face of said plate, a transparent cover member detachably secured to the support and adapted to engage the front face of the plate for maintaining the plate in said recess and in engagement with said ledge and ribs, and a. peripheral bead formed on the outer face of the cover member, the inner edge of the bead being chamfered and lying substantially adjacent the peripheral edge of the said recess.

DAVID P. J OFFO. 

